stain veg/bark tan leather in a period correct manner....
Folks who read Wick Ellerbe's thread on his PC English Scalper were asking about using this process so here's some more info...
Vinegar black aka vinegaroon goes back to at least the Ancient Romans and is IMO the best black stain for veg/bark tan leather since it NEVER rubs off when done properly....
An original recipe from a 19th Century harness making manual:
VINEGAR BLACK
For giving color to the grain of leather there is no blacking that will at all compare with the well known vinegar black. This may be made in various ways. The simplest, and, without doubt, the best, is to procure shavings from an iron turner (note: some folks get the turnings from brake drums) and cover them with pure cider vinegar; heat up and set aside for a week or two, then heat again and set in a cool place for two weeks; pour off the vinegar, allow it to stand for a few days, and draw off and cork up in bottles. This will keep for a long time, and, while producing a deep black on leather, will not stain the hands.
How I do it most times:
I use de-oiled 4/0 steel wool: dip in acetone, squeeze out the extra and hang to dry - then tear or cut into small pieces. Add one pads worth of the de-oiled steel wool to one quart of white or cider vinegar or wine vinegar (it's the acetic acid in the vinegar that does the work.
I use those plastic coffee "cans" and punch a single small hole in the lid to let of any gas buildup. Let it set in the hot sun which will speed the reaction. I let it set for about two weeks or until there is only a light vinegar odor left and/or the bulk of the steel wool has been dissolved. I also keep a new batch "cooking" all the time so I have a constant supply.
For the deepest black, apply a bath of strong black tea first (this increase the tannins) and let it soak in good, then apply a generous amount of the vinegar black. Let set for about a half hour and then rinse with a mix of baking soda and warm water, about a 1/8 cup soda to a half gallon of water, apply let set for just the count of 10 and then rinse off with clean water. While still damp apply a light coat or two of your favorite saddle oil. Dry while hanging in front of a fan or out in the wind - this will help dissipate any residual vinegar odor. Once dry top coat as normal
Experiment - I test a piece of each new side without using the tea bath or oiling to see how well it takes the blacking, if need be I'll do a second black tea/vinegar mix to darken, then apply the oil which also helps darken.
Instead of steel wool you can use chopped up bailing or fence wire or any other type of low grade steel or iron - the smaller the pieces better since it will dissolve in the vinegar bath faster.
Folks who read Wick Ellerbe's thread on his PC English Scalper were asking about using this process so here's some more info...
Vinegar black aka vinegaroon goes back to at least the Ancient Romans and is IMO the best black stain for veg/bark tan leather since it NEVER rubs off when done properly....
An original recipe from a 19th Century harness making manual:
VINEGAR BLACK
For giving color to the grain of leather there is no blacking that will at all compare with the well known vinegar black. This may be made in various ways. The simplest, and, without doubt, the best, is to procure shavings from an iron turner (note: some folks get the turnings from brake drums) and cover them with pure cider vinegar; heat up and set aside for a week or two, then heat again and set in a cool place for two weeks; pour off the vinegar, allow it to stand for a few days, and draw off and cork up in bottles. This will keep for a long time, and, while producing a deep black on leather, will not stain the hands.
How I do it most times:
I use de-oiled 4/0 steel wool: dip in acetone, squeeze out the extra and hang to dry - then tear or cut into small pieces. Add one pads worth of the de-oiled steel wool to one quart of white or cider vinegar or wine vinegar (it's the acetic acid in the vinegar that does the work.
I use those plastic coffee "cans" and punch a single small hole in the lid to let of any gas buildup. Let it set in the hot sun which will speed the reaction. I let it set for about two weeks or until there is only a light vinegar odor left and/or the bulk of the steel wool has been dissolved. I also keep a new batch "cooking" all the time so I have a constant supply.
For the deepest black, apply a bath of strong black tea first (this increase the tannins) and let it soak in good, then apply a generous amount of the vinegar black. Let set for about a half hour and then rinse with a mix of baking soda and warm water, about a 1/8 cup soda to a half gallon of water, apply let set for just the count of 10 and then rinse off with clean water. While still damp apply a light coat or two of your favorite saddle oil. Dry while hanging in front of a fan or out in the wind - this will help dissipate any residual vinegar odor. Once dry top coat as normal
Experiment - I test a piece of each new side without using the tea bath or oiling to see how well it takes the blacking, if need be I'll do a second black tea/vinegar mix to darken, then apply the oil which also helps darken.
Instead of steel wool you can use chopped up bailing or fence wire or any other type of low grade steel or iron - the smaller the pieces better since it will dissolve in the vinegar bath faster.
